NPL's commercial services are built on 100 years of leadership in accuracy, innovation and scientific research. Experienced consultants and project managers draw upon a unique combination of industry know-how and world-leading scientific discovery to deliver real-world business solutions and enable innovation and secure competitive advantage.

We strive to actively promote public awareness and appreciation of science and technology, particularly the importance of measurement and the role of NPL. Here you can find out more about the interesting things we do, science outreach activities you can get involved in or take a look at some of our educational resources.

Future operation of the National Physical Laboratory

The Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts, has announced his decision on NPL's future operations from 2014 when our current arrangement as a Government Owned - Contractor Operated facility by Serco Group plc comes to an end.

He is committed to growing our science, its impact and our third party work and has proposed a different operational model to deliver this, involving a strategic partnership between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and one or more national / international academic partners or applied science organisations. The National Measurement Office and NPL will work together on the process of choosing the partners over the next 16 months.

The Minister's statement provides a clear commitment to our future as one of the top three national measurement institutes globally and meeting the commercial needs of industry with cutting-edge science for commercial application. The aim is to further develop the site as a vibrant science, technology and innovation campus with a focus on measurement science for industry. A partnership with one or more academic institutions will also allow for the formation of a dedicated applied science postgraduate institute on the campus.

The process to develop this new partnership will begin immediately with the aim of a smooth transition leading up to April 2014. In the meantime we can assure you that NPL will be continuing business as usual: we are committed to our current customers and partners and to developing and growing our business.

David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science, has announced a £25 million investment in a new Advanced Metrology Laboratory at NPL - find out more.